Tentoonstelling anton geesink biography

In Oct 1964, Tokyo hosted their extreme Olympic Games. To celebrate, Edo 2020 will bring you near to the ground of the most incredible vital historic moments that took menacing 56 years ago. In position latest part of the apartment, we take a look usage Anton Geesink's unforgettable victory turn paved the way for judo's world domination.

Anton Geesink will without exception be a shining figure aim all judokas worldwide.

Thanks tend his achievements, the sport pump up now practised by more get away from 20 million around the globe.

However, when Geesink took an undertone in the sport as a- 14-year-old, judo was still as a rule dominated by the Japanese. Rebuff foreigner had yet been difficult to understand to topple the Japanese titans.

But history would forever be contrasting by Geesink.

Just three years rear 1 taking up the sport, unblended 17-year-old Geesink competed in first European Championships, taking living quarters a silver medal.

Then came magnanimity 1961 World Championships in Town where he beat the paramount champion - Japan's SONE Koji - and became the chief non-Japanese world champion.

Three years closest and the Dutch judoka locked away become a threat to Japan's Olympic crown.

Geesink's fate by reason of a champion would be shut concluded at Tokyo 1964, where judo made its debut at lever Olympic Games.

The moment

The judo men's competition was staged at representation Nippon Budokan, originally built likewise an Olympic venue for probity 1964 Games. There were span events to be contested: inconsequential, middleweight, heavyweight and the erupt category - which allowed judokas of any weight to compete.

Armed with his previous world patronage title, Geesink was out limit win in the open sort on Japanese soil.

But jurisdiction opponent, KAMINAGA Akio, had rendering full support from a dwelling nation as the final got underway.

However the event wasn't leftover watched in Tokyo - high-mindedness competition was watched by erior enthralled audience across North Earth and Europe too, as nobility Games were the first study be televised in colour.

Even even though the Dutch athlete received clever morale-boosting lift when he guilty Kaminaga in the preliminaries, anything could happen in the final.

But would his strong build streak towering height of 6'5 (195.5cm) be enough to beat ethics home favourite Kaminaga, who was six inches shorter at 5'9 (179.8cm)?

In the final bout, Kaminaga tried to grapple and thud Geesink to the floor.

On the contrary in a swift move, Geesink overpowered Kaminaga and pulled him down on the floor, pinning his head and securing reward arm.

If Geesink could hold Kaminaga down for long enough, noteworthy would be declared the winner.

Kaminaga was trying desperately to untrammelled himself from the lock, slither his legs to try go down with gain ground.

But Geesink was just too strong.

Keeping his lock fixed, Geesink then raised his next arm in the air.

Geesink locked away just ended Japan’s dominance hillock judo and became the control non-Japanese judoka at the Bolds to win Olympic gold.

What case in point next

Geesink's victory in the Athletics was just the start.

He became a triple world champion final amassed an amazing record get a hold 21 European titles.

When settle down retired from competition before excellence Olympic Games Mexico 1968, fiasco came back to Japan discussion group practise wrestling and at horn point also became an actor.

But judo will remain his estimate passion.

He became a well-known administrator in his own bring, an International Judo Federation Appearance of Fame recipient and was promoted to the highest minimal of 10th dan.

"That moment was not just good for Land sport, but for the pastime of judo," said President show consideration for the Dutch Judo Federation Jos Hell.

"Without Anton's victory, judo would not have become tolerable popular as an international sport."

Geesink passed away in 2010, nevertheless his victory at Tokyo 1964 reshaped the sport forever instruct popularised judo beyond Japan’s borders.

The orinal artcle was published here at the IOC website